Building Your Stockpile

First off, you need to understand this term. Basically, a stockpile is just what it sounds like. It’s buying items your family uses at their lowest prices and “stocking up”. When you buy an item for the cheapest you can possibly find it, instead of when you are desperate after running out, you will save your family SO much money.

The term in the couponing world does not necessarily apply just to food, although that’s a big part of it. Our family has a huge stockpile of toiletries (shampoo, deodorant, toothpaste, toilet paper, etc). These are items that, of course, we are going to use on an everyday basis. Why wait until we are totally out and pay full price? Anticipate your family’s needs and buy ahead of time. We also stock up on printer paper, office supplies like tape and envelopes and laundry supplies (detergent, fabric softener, etc).

How to get started?

The most important part of stockpiling is to learn the lowest price of an item. Keep a list with you at all times with the lowest price you have ever paid for your everyday items. This doesn’t just mean total price, it’s also important to figure out the per-unit price. For example, my lowest price point for cranberry juice is 4 cents/oz. Then, when you find an item at this price, STOCK UP! Buy as much as you think your family can use before the expiration date or as much as you have room for. Freeze what you can.

This is where having multiple coupons comes in handy. You can, of course, find an item at its lowest price without a coupon, but combining that price with a coupon is an even better score. If you can get an item free or as a moneymaker but can’t/won’t use it, donate it. Food banks are always looking for donations! Another idea is to give it to a friend or neighbor who will use it.

Learn what works for your family. Don’t buy twenty cans of beets just because they are cheap if your family won’t eat them.

We are lucky in that we don’t have any serious food allergies or diet restrictions and we don’t eat strictly organic, but if you do, learn the lowest prices of items that work for you and your family. You may not be able to lower your grocery budget as much as we can, but do what is best for you. We are not brand-specific (anymore) and my husband and kids would eat wallpaper paste if I told them it tasted good, so I’m lucky.

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Welcome to This Beautiful Frugal Life!

Hi! I'm Melody from Tri-Cities, WA, the mother of two young boys and passionate about getting fit, eating healthy and saving money. I am dedicated to helping you live a fabulous life for less and hope you will join me on this journey!